Emmanuel Petit believes it is “obvious” that Paul Pogba is unhappy at Manchester United and urged both club and player to seek a solution this summer.
Pogba, who remains United’s record signing having arrived in a deal worth £89.3million in 2016, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Attempts have been made to tie the Frenchman to a new deal, but with talks at an impasse it is looking increasingly likely that he will allow his contract to expire.
The 24-year-old hasn’t played in the Premier League since being dismissed in the second half of the Red Devils’ embarrassing 5-0 capitulation against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Man Utd continue to try and get Pogba to sign a new deal? Let us know below
A hamstring injury means he is yet to be named in a squad by interim boss Ralf Rangnick as United attempt to maintain a challenge for the top four.
Pogba has now back in full training with an eye on a return to match action next month, but with speculation swirling about his future, his compatriot Petit thinks from the outside at least, his displeasure is clear to see.
“I believe the link is broken between Paul Pogba and Manchester United,” Petit told Bookmakers.com.
“You can see in his body language that he is not happy, it is obvious. You don't have to be an expert to understand that.
“In the last few years, he has been hit by so many injuries and I just believe it is time for him to leave the club.
“His future is just not at Manchester United. They also get no benefit out of a player that is clearly not motivated anymore either.
“Which means they need to find the best solution for both of them.”
The 28-year-old is set to miss this weekend’s vital clash with West Ham but Rangnick admitted he is very excited to have a committed Pogba for the run-in, with United still battling on three fronts.
“I had a long conversation with him for more than an hour after the training session, a very good conversation. He committed himself until the end of the season,” Rangnick explained.
“He explained to me that he wants to be the best possible Paul Pogba that he can be.
“I’m very much looking forward to having him available in two weeks’ time, after the international break, for three different competitions.
“As I said, what I saw in training yesterday was amazing: a very good standard of performance physically, emotionally and technically.”
How many players do Man Utd need to sign this month? Have your say in the comments
Asked if he was still planning to play Pogba considering his contract status, he added: "Yes, of course.
"I also played Nemanja Matic now in the last games and his contract is also expiring. By the way, my contract as a manager is also expiring in the summer.
"So, for us, we have the same goal, we have the same ambition to be as successful as we can possibly be in the next three or four months.”
